Exogenous and locally synthesized angiotensin II and glomerulosa cell functions

Angiotensin II AT2 Receptors Contribute to Regulate the Sympathoadrenal and Hormonal Reaction to Stress Stimuli

Angiotensin II, through AT1 receptor stimulation, mediates multiple cardiovascular, metabolic, and behavioral functions including the response to stressors. Conversely, the function of Angiotensin II AT2 receptors has not been totally clarified. In adult rodents, AT2 receptor distribution is very limited but it is particularly high in the adrenal medulla. Recent results strongly indicate that AT2 receptors contribute to the regulation of the response to stress stimuli. This occurs in association with AT1 receptors, both receptor types reciprocally influencing their expression and therefore their function. AT2 receptors appear to influence the response to many types of stressors and in all components of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The molecular mechanisms involved in AT2 receptor activation, the complex interactions with AT1 receptors, and additional factors participating in the control of AT2 receptor regulation and activity in response to stressors are only partially understood. Further research is necessary to close this knowledge gap and to clarify whether AT2 receptor activation may carry the potential of a major translational advance.

Local renin-angiotensin systems in the adrenal gland

In the adrenal gland all components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) are expressed in both the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla. In this review evidence shall be presented that a local secretory RAS exists in the adrenal cortex that stimulates aldosterone production and serves as an amplification system for circulating angiotensin (ANG) II. The regulation of the secretory adrenal RAS clearly differs from the regulation of the circulatory RAS in terms of renin expression as well as of renin secretion. For example under potassium load the activity of the renal and circulatory RAS is suppressed whereas the activity of the adrenal RAS is stimulated. Thus the activity of the adrenal RAS but not of the circulating RAS correlates well with the regulation of aldosterone production by potassium. The present review also summarizes the knowledge about the expression and functions of an additional renin transcript that has recently been discovered. This transcript encodes for a non-secretory cytosolic renin isoform. The cytosolic renin may be a basis for the existence of an intracellular renin system in the adrenal gland that has long been proposed. The present state of knowledge shall be discussed indicating that such an intracellular system modulates cell survival and cell death such as apoptosis and necrosis or cell functions such as aldosterone production.

A renin transcript lacking exon 1 encodes for a non-secretory intracellular renin that increases aldosterone production in transgenic rats

Renin transcripts lacking exon 1 and thus the signal sequence for co-translational transport to the endoplasmatic reticulum encode for a protein (exon[2-9]renin), that is confined to the cytoplasm. The function of exon(2-9)renin is currently unknown. Mitochondrial renin increases under conditions which stimulate aldosterone production. We hypothesized that exon(2-9)renin (1) is translated into a functionally active protein in vivo, (2) is not secreted but remains within the cytoplasm and (3) stimulates aldosterone production. To test these hypotheses we generated transgenic rats overexpressing exon(2-9)renin. Four transgenic lines were obtained expressing the transcript in various tissues including the heart and the adrenal gland. Renin was enriched particularly in the cytoplasm of transgenic rats. Renin was not elevated in plasma, indicating that exon(2-9)renin is produced but not secreted. The ratio of aldosterone to renin concentrations in plasma (PAC/PRC) was elevated in all transgenic lines except line 307, which also did not exhibit elevated cytoplasmatic renin levels in the adrenal gland (PAC/PRC in controls: 2.8±2.3; line 307: 1.9±0.8; n. s.; line 284: 5.8±1.9; P<0.02; line 294: 5.0±2.3; P<0.001; line 276: 10.3±5.1; P<0.001). We conclude that the exon(1A-9) renin transcript (1) is translated into a functionally active intracellular protein; (2) is targeted to the cytoplasm rather than being sorted to the secretory pathways and (3) is functionally active, regulating aldosterone production. The CX-(exon2-9)renin transgenic rat appears to be a useful model to study the role and the mechanisms of action of cytoplasmatic renin derived from exon(1A-9) transcripts.

Action mechanism of an angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptide derived from chicken breast muscle

In a previous study, we isolated the inhibitory peptide (P4 peptide, Gly-Phe-Hyp-Gly-Thr-Hyp-Gly-Leu-Hyp-Gly-Phe) for angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) from chicken breast muscle extract possessing hypotensive activity for spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). This study was performed to elucidate the peptide's action mechanisms of inhibiting ACE. Intravenous administration of synthetic P4 peptide resulted in significant drops in the blood pressures of SHRs. As Dixon plots indicate, the P4 peptide showed high affinity toward ACE (K(i) = 11.48 microM) and only 10% of the total amount of the P4 peptide was decomposed. The analyses of the relationship between the ACE inhibitory activity and structure of the P4 peptide clarified that Hyp-Gly-Leu-Hyp-Gly-Phe showed a stronger activity (IC50 = 10 microM) than the P4 peptide (IC50 = 46 microM). When Phe at the C-terminus of the P4 peptide was deleted, IC50 changed to 25000 microM, indicating that Phe at the C-terminus of the peptide is very important for ACE inhibitory activity.

Newly recognized components of the renin-angiotensin system: potential roles in cardiovascular and renal regulation

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a coordinated hormonal cascade in the control of cardiovascular, renal, and adrenal function that governs body fluid and electrolyte balance, as well as arterial pressure. The classical RAS consists of a circulating endocrine system in which the principal effector hormone is angiotensin (ANG) II. ANG is produced by the action of renin on angiotensinogen to form ANG I and its subsequent conversion to the biologically active octapeptide by ANG-converting enzyme. ANG II actions are mediated via the ANG type 1 receptor. Here, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the components and actions of the RAS, including local tissue RASs, a renin receptor, ANG-converting enzyme-2, ANG (1-7), the function of the ANG type 2 receptor, and ANG receptor heterodimerization. The role of the RAS in the regulation of cardiovascular and renal function is reviewed and discussed in light of these newly recognized components.

Effect of angiotensin II on aldosterone secretion in canine adrenal gland in situ

To investigate the effect of angiotensin (ANG) II on aldosterone (ALDO) secretion, we measured arterial and adrenal venous plasma aldosterone concentrations in anesthetized dogs. The intraadrenal arterial infusion of ANG II (0.3 ng/kg/min) or potassium chloride (KCl) (0.6 mg/min) increased ALDO secretion. The changes in ALDO secretion in response to ANG II were tested during the concomitant arterial infusion of two graded doses of losartan (10 and 100 ng/kg/min), PD 123319 (50 and 500 ng/kg/min), nifedipine (25 and 250 ng/kg/min), or TMB-8 (2 and 20 microg/kg/min). All of these test drugs except PD123319 inhibited the ANG II-induced increase in ALDO secretion. Losartan did not affect the KCl-induced increase in ALDO secretion. These results indicate that ANG II acts on ANG II type 1 receptors in the adrenal gland and enhances ALDO secretion. They also suggest the involvement of both intracellular and extracellular calcium in the aldosterone response to stimulation by ANG II. Under these in vivo experimental conditions, the KCl-stimulated ALDO secretion does not appear to involve ANG II formation in the adrenal gland.

Role of adrenal renin-angiotensin system in the control of aldosterone secretion in sodium-restricted rats

This study examined the effect of the pharmacological manipulation of adrenal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) on aldosterone secretion from in situ perfused adrenals of rats kept on a normal diet and sodium restricted for 14 days. Neither the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril nor the nonselective angiotensin II receptor antagonist saralasin and the AT(1) receptor-selective antagonist losartan affected basal aldosterone output in normally fed rats. In contrast, they concentration dependently decreased aldosterone secretion in sodium-restricted animals, with maximal effective concentration ranging from 10(-7) to 10(-6) M. Captopril (10(-6) M), saralasin (10(-6) M), and losartan (10(-7) M) counteracted aldosterone response to 10 mM K(+) in sodium-restricted rats but not in normally fed animals. Collectively, these findings provide evidence that adrenal RAS plays a role in the regulation of aldosterone secretion, but only under conditions of prolonged stimulation of zona glomerulosa probably leading to overexpression of adrenal RAS.

Angiotensin II and aldosterone regulation

The circulating renin-angiotensin system is a major regulator of the secretion of the adrenocortical hormone, aldosterone. This renin-angiotensin aldosterone system is important in the control of salt and water balance and blood pressure. This review describes the historical background leading to the discovery of aldosterone in the 1950s and the recognition in the 1960s that angiotensin II was involved in its control. Although angiotensin II is important in the regulation of aldosterone secretion, its action is influenced by multiple other factors, especially potassium and atrial natriuretic peptide. In addition to the circulating renin-angiotensin system, a local renin-angiotensin system is present in the zona glomerulosa cell. This local system also appears to be involved in the regulation of aldosterone production. The mechanism by which angiotensin II stimulates the adrenal zona glomerulosa cell is described in some detail. Angiotensin II interacts with the angiotensin receptor (AT1) membrane receptor that is coupled to cellular second messengers. Specific AT1 receptor antagonists are now clinically used to block angiotensin II's action on various target organs, including the adrenal gland.

Current clinical pathophysiologic considerations in essential hypertension

Over the years, much has been learned from unraveling the pathophysiological alterations associated with the hypertensive diseases. Despite this large base of fundamental and clinical information, our knowledge continues to expand. This article discusses the multifactorial nature of hypertensive disease, including the vascular and cardiac participation in the elevation of arterial pressure and in target organ involvement by the disease. Some of the most exciting advances of the last decade are summarized in this review.

Arthus C. Corcoran Memorial Lecture. Influence of nitric oxide and angiotensin II on renal involvement in hypertension

Remarkable advances have been made with prolonged antihypertensive therapy in reversing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Deaths from stroke have been reduced by 70% and from coronary heart disease by 35%. In contrast, endstage renal disease resulting from hypertension continues to increase. The explanations for this seeming paradox remain unresolved even though experimental models have demonstrated that certain antihypertensive agents may have beneficial renal and intrarenal hemodynamic effects; but reversal of the intrarenal pathological lesions have not been shown to improve. This discussion summarizes recent studies from our laboratory in aged (73- and 85-week-old) spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with naturally occurring end-stage renal disease and in a model of aged SHR employing nitric oxide inhibition in younger, adult (20-week-old) SHR. Our findings demonstrated that the systemic and whole renal hemodynamics, intrarenal glomerular dynamics, proteinuria, and renal pathological lesions can be prevented or reversed with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition therapy but not with hydrochlorothiazide (at similar levels of arterial pressure reduction). The implications and possible mechanisms involved in the development of both naturally occurring and nitric oxide-exacerbated SHR are multifactorial, involving the endothelial nitric oxide system and its interaction with angiotensin II (and possibly bradykinin) among other factors. Moreover, these pathophysiological cellular mechanisms may be shared by the aging process as well as in naturally occurring spontaneous hypertension in the rat and, perhaps, in humans with essential hypertension. Thus, antihypertensive therapy seems to be specific in its ability to prevent and even reverse the pathophysiological derangements of renal involvement in hypertension. Thus, prevention and reversal of end-stage renal disease do not seem to require greater reduction of arterial pressure than with other target-organ involvement. However, they do require specific inhibition of the arteriolar and glomerular lesions produced by the disease.

Locally generated angiotensin II in the adrenal gland regulates basal, corticotropin-, and potassium-stimulated aldosterone secretion

The zona glomerulosa cells of the adrenal gland have an intrinsic renin-angiotensin system that appears to modulate the aldosterone response to potassium and corticotropin. The actions of circulating angiotensin II (Ang II) are mediated by the activation of the Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptor on the adrenal cortex. In this study we examined the effects of the AT1 receptor antagonist DuP 753 and other antagonists on aldosterone secretion in cultured bovine zona glomerulosa cells. Zona glomerulosa cells were cultured in PFMR-4 medium containing 10% fetal calf serum for 72 hours, and the medium was replaced with serum-free medium for the next 24-hour experimental period. DuP 753 (10 mumol/L) inhibited basal aldosterone secretion (from 88.6 +/- 7.1 to 54.8 +/- 9.6 pg/10(6) cells per hour; 38% inhibition). EXP 3174, an active metabolite of DuP 753, also inhibited aldosterone dose dependently (from 88.6 +/- 7.1 to 55.9 +/- 8.4 at 1 mumol/L and 88.6 +/- 7.1 to 21.7 +/- 3.3 at 100 mumol/L; 37% and 75% inhibition, respectively). Another and more potent AT1 receptor antagonist, L158,809, showed significant inhibition at 100 nmol/L, and at 10 mumol/L it inhibited basal aldosterone secretion (from 144.7 +/- 18.2 to 83.4 +/- 17.1 pg/10(6) cells per hour; 42% inhibition). DuP 753 inhibited Ang II (100 nmol/L)-stimulated aldosterone production in a dose-dependent fashion, with a 30% reduction at 100 nmol/L and complete inhibition at 100 mumol/L. DuP 753 also inhibited potassium (12 nmol/L) and corticotropin (1 nmol/L) stimulation of aldosterone in a dose-dependent fashion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Growth responses to angiotensin II in bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells

The effects of angiotensin II (ANG II) on growth responses of primary cultures of bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells were studied to explore the mechanism(s) by which ANG II leads to hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the glomerulosa layer in sodium deficiency. ANG II did not increase [3H]thymidine incorporation during the first 5 days of culture, but mitogenic responses to ANG II became evident after longer periods of culture and were most prominent between 8 and 11 days after seeding. At this time, cell cycle analysis showed that ANG II increased the proportion of cells in the S phase and did not cause accumulation of cells in the G2 phase. Consistent with this finding, ANG II also stimulated proliferation of glomerulosa cells during treatment for 3 days in the presence of 1% serum. The mitogenic effect of ANG II was not inhibited by pretreatment with pertussis toxin and was mediated by AT1 receptors as indicated by its sensitivity to the subtype-selective antagonist DuP-753. Also, there was no emergence of AT2 receptors in glomerulosa cells during prolonged culture. These results indicate that intracellular mechanisms that mediate growth responses become more active during prolonged culture of glomerulosa cells. Thus, in addition to regulating the steroidogenic and secretory functions of the zona glomerulosa, ANG II exerts mitogenic actions that depend on the functional state of the glomerulosa cells.

Myocardial hypertrophy, angiotensin, and ACE inhibitors

The renin-angiotensin system has long been known as a potent determinant of cardiovascular homeostasis and a powerful regulator of vascular hemodynamics. Over the last twenty years, it has become clear that components of the renin-angiotensin system are present in and, in many instances, synthesized in local tissues. The role of some of these local renin systems is now becoming clear, but the role, if any, of local production of angiotensin II in the heart and vasculature remains unknown. Recent evidence indicates that angiotensin II can serve as a growth factor for a variety of cell types including those in the cardiovascular system, and it thus appears possible that systemically or locally produced angiotensin II could subserve important functions in the determination of heart and vasculature structure. Clinical studies tend to corroborate this possibility. The potent effects of converting enzyme inhibition on the regression of left ventricular hypertrophy, the demonstration that the administration of these agents following myocardial infarction reduces detrimental cardiac remodeling, and the finding that converting enzyme inhibition prolongs survival in congestive heart failure patients all point to an important role of angiotensin II on cardiovascular function and raise the distinct possibility that angiotensin II growth effects are involved in these beneficial responses. Additionally, recent data demonstrate conclusively that under certain circumstances and in certain cell types locally produced angiotensin II can serve as an autocrine growth regulatory factor, further adding support to the idea that local renin systems may play an important role in the determination of cardiovascular structure.

Adrenal and circulating renin-angiotensin system in stroke-prone hypertensive rats

The plasma and adrenal renin-angiotensin system in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were examined in animals at 5, 11, 18, and 25 weeks of age. Plasma active renin was significantly increased in 18- and 25-week-old SHRSP with impaired renal function, whereas there was no difference in the plasma prorenin level or renal renin content between the two strains at all ages examined. Thus, the rate of activation of prorenin seems to be enhanced in the kidney of SHRSP with malignant hypertension. Adrenal renin contents were severalfold higher in SHRSP than WKY rats at all ages. However, adrenal angiotensin peptides were not increased in SHRSP aged 5 and 11 weeks. In 18-week-old SHRSP, adrenal angiotensin II (Ang II) and III (Ang III) levels were fourfold and 1.8-fold higher, respectively, than in WKY rats, accompanied by 1.5-fold higher plasma aldosterone. Increased adrenal angiotensin and plasma aldosterone were also found in 25-week-old SHRSP. Zonal distribution studies indicated that the elevated Ang II and III in SHRSP were derived mainly from the capsular tissue (the zona glomerulosa). To examine the contribution of circulating angiotensin to the adrenal angiotensin content, effects of bilateral nephrectomy on adrenal angiotensin and renin were examined in 18-week-old rats. At 24 hours after nephrectomy, plasma angiotensin, prorenin, and active renin were decreased to almost negligible concentrations. Conversely, in both adrenal capsular and decapsular tissues of SHRSP and WKY rats, neither angiotensin nor renin was significantly decreased after nephrectomy. These results suggest that the increase in adrenal capsular Ang II contents in SHRSP may be partly due to an enhanced local production of Ang II.

The use of antisense oligonucleotides to establish autocrine angiotensin growth effects in human neuroblastoma and mesangial cells

Local renin-angiotensin systems (RAS) exist in many cell types, and angiotensin II (AII) has growth regulatory effects in some tissues. We demonstrated the presence of angiotensinogen (ANG) mRNA in cultured human mesangial cells (MC) and SHSY-5Y human neuroblastoma cells using reverse transcription and the polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR) followed by hybridization to a human ANG-specific oligonucleotide probe. We speculated, therefore, that AII might act in an autocrine or paracrine fashion to regulate the growth of mesangial cells and neuroblastoma cells. Sense and antisense oligonucleotides were next synthesized complementary to the ANG transcription start site. Antisense but not sense oligonucleotides decreased [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA by both MC and neuroblastoma cells. Growth of antisense oligonucleotide-treated cells was restored to control levels by the addition of AII but not by the addition of basic fibroblast growth factor. Neither oligonucleotide affected [3H]thymidine incorporation in mouse L929 cells. These data indicate that locally produced AII can act in an autocrine or paracrine fashion to alter the growth of human mesangial and neuroblastoma cells. Therefore, they suggest a role for local RAS in the pathogenesis of growth abnormalities in the cardiovascular system as well as in some forms of malignancy.

Role of the adrenal renin-angiotensin system on adrenocorticotropic hormone- and potassium-stimulated aldosterone production by rat adrenal glomerulosa cells in monolayer culture

The rat zona glomerulosa has a renin-angiotensin system that appears to function as an autocrine or paracrine system in the regulation of aldosterone production. To further investigate dynamic changes of production of renin and aldosterone in vitro we developed a primary monolayer culture of rat adrenal glomerulosa cells in serum-free medium. Collagenase-dispersed glomerulosa cells were incubated in PFMR-4 medium containing 10% fetal calf serum for 48 hours; the medium was then replaced with serum-free PFMR-4 medium. The cell viability and the aldosterone secretion were stable over the additional 48 hours in the serum-free control medium. After incubation for 24 hours in the serum-free medium, the cells were exposed to high K+ or adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) for another 24 hours. ACTH stimulated aldosterone secretion, and this increased secretion was associated with an increase in renin activity (cell active renin, from 15.56 +/- 0.71 to 45.75 +/- 5.69; cell inactive renin, from 0.67 +/- 0.54 to 8.75 +/- 3.40; medium inactive renin, from 5.58 +/- 1.16 to 106.20 +/- 14.01 pg angiotensin I (Ang I)/micrograms protein/3 hr). Aldosterone was also stimulated by high K+. This increase was also associated with an increase in active renin in the cells (from 15.08 +/- 1.80 to 23.26 +/- 2.15 pg Ang I/micrograms protein/3 hr) and an increase in inactive renin in the medium (from 10.87 +/- 1.62 to 21.37 +/- 3.20 pg Ang I/micrograms protein/3 hr). Addition of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor lisinopril attenuated both ACTH- and high K(+)-stimulated aldosterone secretion significantly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)